Joint statement from 31 bar associations against trustees: They pointed to the municipal council

In a joint statement issued by the bar associations regarding the appointment of trustees, it was stated that "the practice of appointing trustees, which violates the presumption of innocence and ignores the will of the voters, is clearly and multi-dimensionally contrary to the Constitution and the international conventions to which Turkey is a party."

The joint statement of the bar associations indicated that the appointment of trustees violates the Constitution. The statement made by the bar associations is as follows:

"Before the ink had even dried on the unlawful decision to appoint trustees to the Hakkari, Esenyurt, Mardin, Batman, and Halfeti municipalities, we learned that trustees have now been appointed to the Tunceli and Ovacık municipalities. The principle of a democratic state of law includes the obligation to protect fundamental rights and freedoms. The right to vote and to be elected, guaranteed by Article 67 of the Constitution, is not only the most fundamental element of a democratic society but also the expression of a basic right.

Even if there is a legal issue regarding mayors elected as a result of the exercise of the right to vote, the method to be followed is to resolve this issue through the election mechanism among the members of the municipal council.

The practice of appointing trustees, which violates the presumption of innocence and ignores the will of the voters, is clearly and multi-dimensionally contrary to the Constitution and the international conventions to which Turkey is a party. This practice, which there is no doubt has turned into an administrative regime, produces no result other than causing severe damage to Turkey's democracy, eroding the voters' faith, and weakening trust in the law. The practice of appointing trustees, which is a remnant of the state of emergency (OHAL) administration, has no legal or social legitimacy whatsoever.

As bar associations, we firmly emphasize that we are against the trustee regime, and we call for this unlawful decision, which usurps the will of the people, to be reversed as soon as possible, and for respect to be shown to the will of the voters and the rule of law."

News Source: 12punto